This information comes from an Apple Support Community Member Linc Davies. However When in doubt contact Michael Gross, to allay your fears.
Linc's information relates to methods or ways that you may infect your Mac with a virus.
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is unsafe.
A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders," for example, are outside the safe harbor, though not all are malware.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe. For instance, if a web page warns you that Flash is out of date,do not follow an offered link to an update. Go to the Adobe website to download it, if you need it at all.
Software attached to email that you didn't request is unsafe, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
Software advertised by means of spam is unsafe.
Unknown "free" software that a stranger on the Internet is eager for you to download is unsafe.
Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
"FREE WI-FI !!!" networks in public places are unsafe unless you can verify that the network is not a trap (which you probably can't.) Even then, do not download any software or transmit any private information while connected to such a network, regardless of where it seems to come from or go to.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbour just once will inevitably result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defences against malware attack. Doing any of the things alluded to above should make you uncomfortable. Return to this session
This information comes from an Apple Support Community Member Linc Davies. However When in doubt contact Michael Gross, to allay your fears.
Linc's information relates to methods or ways that you may infect your Mac with a virus.
- Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is unsafe.
- A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
- Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
- Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
- Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders," for example, are outside the safe harbor, though not all are malware.
- Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe. For instance, if a web page warns you that Flash is out of date,do not follow an offered link to an update. Go to the Adobe website to download it, if you need it at all.
- Software attached to email that you didn't request is unsafe, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
- Software advertised by means of spam is unsafe.
- Unknown "free" software that a stranger on the Internet is eager for you to download is unsafe.
- Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
- "FREE WI-FI !!!" networks in public places are unsafe unless you can verify that the network is not a trap (which you probably can't.) Even then, do not download any software or transmit any private information while connected to such a network, regardless of where it seems to come from or go to.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbour just once will inevitably result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defences against malware attack. Doing any of the things alluded to above should make you uncomfortable.Return to this session